Maryland Arts Festival

MARYLAND SCENE

July 23, 2000|By Sloane Brown

Nope, Toto, we sure weren't in Kansas anymore. But the tent pitched in front of Towson University's Stephens Hall held some Kansas-like scenery along with that from a certain mythical land, as 265 guests circulated around props from the Maryland Arts Festival's stage production of "The Wizard of Oz." While there was no "man behind the curtain," the man in front of it was Dr. Hoke Smith, Towson University president and host of the opening night gala.

Trees from the musical's Enchanted Forest arched over the carving station, Emerald City towers glistened above fresh fruit tart, and, with no witches around to destroy, the only melting seemed to be the ice cubes in partygoers' drinks.